(Part 2) Best dog health supplies according to redditors

You can always try the enzymatic toothpaste route! My cats love the chicken flavor, it's their favorite. You do have to work up to it though. Just let them get used to licking it off your finger, then you dabbing it on their lips, then you putting it on their front teeth, etc. until you're able to stick your finger on their back molars. It may take a few weeks or a month or two but my cats get excited about it now- they see it like an additional treat! Haha, joke's on them, I'm brushing their teeth.

Always a diva.

Someone else in the thread suggested carrots, I’ve used that at times. Just make sure they are in bite-sized pieces and softened in water. Or just used canned carrots.

Canned pumpkin is a other good option. Just be sure it is pure 100% pumpkin with no other ingredient and not pumpkin pie filling or other pumpkin product, the labeling is less than clear. With pumpkin just be careful because it is high in sugar.

Technically both those are orange.

Blueberries can work well and are also not green.

You can try mixing the fruits and vegetables with salmon oil. It’s a supplement for skin and coat health, but some dogs really love it and it also had a strong smell.

I just see this being your hippo. .

Adorable pup!

There are two ways that I brush my Corgi's teeth which have great success.

So, first you will need a few things :

• (looks like you have a sample of this) Enzymatic toothpaste
  
  
• Maintenance Oral Gel
  
  
• Toothbursh, I use higher end brushes, which do make a difference. Kid's brushes are the best size or the small head ones. You can find some that are angled as well. For your pup the little finger brush is probably best for now.
  
  
• beef cannoli
  
  So, now that you have that... On to the ways I brush.
  
  Thumb in mouth This method is the most thorough and best approached from the front of the dog
  
  
• Take your index finger and gently rest it across the snout, being gentle and careful to not restrict airway or poke their eyes.
  
• Take your thumb and insert it in between the upper and lower jaw. It should enter one side and come out the other, effectively propping open the jaw and exposing the teeth while keep their tongue busy. Be careful here when doing this with any dog as you can lose a thumb if the dog is likely to bite or clamp down. Starting early usually mitigates the risk. Use your judgement!
  
• Brush each tooth in a gentle circular motion, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. I reapply toothpaste once per side. Be sure to gently brush around the gums as you can cause the gums to recede and wear away enamel if you are too forceful or use too stiff a brush. Treat them like your teeth.
  
• Brush the insides of the teeth if you can reach.
  
• Brush the tongue afterwards or let them lick the remaining paste off the brush to help clean the tongue.
  
• Afterwards, take the maintenance gel, apply about a .5 to 1inch line of gel on the upper and low gums of each side. I like to rub his lips on this to disperse but they are supposed to lick it and disperse it themselves.
  
• Give your pup a nice chewy, such as a tendon. Make sure they aren't made in China! I prefer ones made in the USA or Germany. Be careful with made and distributed / packaged in markings... Essentially, don't skimp! These are great occupiers, help prevent chewing on things you like, and also help keep their teeth clean, like those pesky molars!
  
  Now the second way...
  
  Closed mouth quick brush. This method is great for if you don't have a lot of time or the dog is a biter.
  
  
• Place your thumb across their snout.
  
• place the rest of your hand underneath their jaw, effectively holding their mouth shut. Be gentle here!
  
• slip the toothbrush between the lips. You can do this step first if it is easier for you.
  
• brush like normal, trying to get everything
  
• Let them open their mouth slightly and slide the toothbrush in between their front canines.
  
• brush the inside of their teeth
  
• brush their tongue
  
• apply gel as above
  
• Give your pup a nice chewy, such as a tendon.
  
  Hopefully this helps you! If you do this 1-2 times daily and provide high quality chewy snacks like tendons, you should reduce the need for dental visits at the vet of complete remove the need. Do pay attention to the gums and teeth though and consulate a vet for further advice.

Also, he was literally quoting the actual sticker.

Food:

• Orijen. We rotate around between foods, but always come back to this one. Great coats, no dental problems, consistent energy levels, good digestion, all around good.
  
• Durapet steel non-skid dishes. Nice solid steel construction, and the rubber ring stays put even with frequent washing.
  
• Fish oil! Right now we use Kirkland brand capsules from Costco, which the dogs gobble up like candy.
  
  Leashes/collars/harnesses:
  
  
• "WMC" leather leashes. 3/4" 4ft long, perfect weight and length for everyday training walks. I have no idea what this brand is but it's the best leash I've ever owned. Stamped with "WMC" which I assume is an identifying mark of some sort.
  
• brass id plates from gun dog supply. They last forever and work great.
  
• Not a commercial product, but, a ponytail tie around tags to silence them.
  
• Perfect Fit fleece lined harness for dogs with thin fur. The most comfortable option I've found.
  
• Sense-ible harness. A simple, classic front-clip harness. No frills, does the job without unnecessary cost or weird features.
  
  Grooming:
  
  
• Miller's Forge nail clippers. Simple, cheap, sharp, better than the expensive alternatives.
  
• Earthbath grooming wipes have been a godsend for my allergy dog. Wiping him down every day drastically reduces his seasonal allergy symptoms.
  
• Epi-Soothe shampoo for itchy skin.
  
• Rubber brush for short coats. No particular brand--brands have evolved over the years. Zoom Groom is popular now, but anything made of flexible grippy rubber with fingers/nubs will work.
  
• Burt's Bees shampoo has been a pleasant surprise. No strong perfume, and leaves coats soft without drying them out.
  
• CET toothpaste. The poultry flavor is a big hit--way better than some other brands.
  
  Beds:
  
  
• Kuranda beds. No stuffing to trap allergens, tall enough to let the roomba underneath, and sturdy as all hell. Throw a washable blanket on top for snuggling and it's the perfect dog bed. Seriously, if you take nothing else away from this, just remember Kuranda.
  
• ruff wear roll up mats. Mine are way older and don't look like the product pictured there, but hopefully the new ones are similar. Waterproof no-slip rubber backing, fleece top that lasts through serious abuse (read: digging), and a thin padded layer that doesn't bunch. Perfect for camping, mat training, training classes, any and all travel.
  
• Berkley & Jensen brand dog beds/throws. The ones I got were like thick blankets, canvas on one side and fleece on the other side with a thin layer of padding in the middle. They're amazing. Folded in half it's a crate mat. Folded twice it's a dog bed. Spread out it's a floor protector while feeding gross bones. Spread out it's also a car seat protector.
  
  
  Toys
  
  
• Orvis leather toys. They appear not to be sold currently, but I have a leather retrieving dummy that was perfect for intro retrieve training with a dog who was utterly disinterested in toys. The soft leather enticed him to pick it up, which was all the help I needed at the time.
  
• JW treat ball. Large opening, so perfect for chunks of biscuit or jerky. Large pieces of treats can be squeezed through the flexible opening for a challenging game. Soft rubber bounces quietly, does not clang around on hard floors or against hard furniture like buster cube or kong wobbler.
  
• Classic Kongs. I take this one for granted, but really useful toy. Stuff it with food before you leave for work and your dog has something productive to focus on for a little while at least.
  
• Goughnuts. Virtually indestructible rubber chew toys.
  
  Training goodies
  
  
• Starmark clicker. Loud click. raised button gives you more options than a typical box clicker.
  
• iClick clicker. Very quiet click. Also with a raised button for versatility.
  
• Terry Ryan treat bag. Again, mine is really old so I hope the new one is similarly good. The hinges pop open/shut with no trouble, way more convenient than a drawstring. Mine has been used and washed regularly for 6+ years without harming it.
  

I bet I know what it is. It's a grass saving pill: http://www.amazon.com/Nutri-Vet-Green-Chewable-Tablets-Liver-Flavored/dp/B0002PBZY8

Most poisons dont come in convenient chewable pill form.

I second Epi-Otic that's what my vet recommended for ear cleaning and it's really not that expensive. https://smile.amazon.com/Virbac-Epi-Otic-Advanced-Ear-Cleaner/dp/B0056EAKSM

As someone who adopted two senior peegs, i salute you! I love older peegs. I recommend starting her on a joint support supplement because my veterinarian recently informed me that guinea pigs develop severe arthritis of the knees after 4 years of age. This is what i give my piggies every day

Natural Science - Joint Supplement, 60 Count

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007PZEC52/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_mYQIwb7H2FJW4

I adore /u/thequeenofawesome because she has a killer personality. she totally deserves this thing because a. for her new car, b. it promotes rescuing animals and c. she is the queen of awesome. she's been a real pal lately to me and anyone who's anyone knows that's hard to come by <3

I know you are saying money is tight. but I really recommend buying a bottle of ear cleaner like this or similar. I have a lab with floppy ears and they get gunked up every once and a while. If I notice her shaking her head a bunch I put a drop or 3 in her ears and massage them for a bit. You can also take a cotton ball and gently stick it down in her ear and swab out any wax/gunk. If you leave it to long the gunk becomes a nice breeding ground for yeast and you'll need to get prescription drops from the vet. So in the long run the $15 for the cleaner is a lot cheaper than the vet visit and prescription drops.

I can't tell you if they work unfortunately. I just got them last week because I was tired of pee patches. Here's a link to them Dog Rocks Urine Patch Preventer https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000NE2UH4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_HfrWBbP2S1HAR

They claim to lower the nitrates in pee. I've seen mixed reviews but I figured for £10 it was worth trying. I've done the route where you dig out the dead grass and use the pee patch kit that valances the pH and plants new grass but that doesn't do much when the dogs pee in the lawn every day.

We got a house with a yard in part because our dogs love to run around so I'm not going to stop them from enjoying themselves. In the summer they practically live back there even if you leave the door open.

I give my mutts this stuff and it solved the brown spots from them. Pretty affordable depending on the size of your dog.

12lb dog get 1 tablet a day (I think 2 a day for the first 30 days) so the $20 lasts all year. Don't stop it in the Winter though, keep using it!!

Looks similar to pills that you give to dogs so their urine doesn't kill the grass. Like this-- http://www.amazon.com/Nutri-Vet-Green-Chewable-Tablets-Liver-Flavored/dp/B0002PBZY8

This Cosequin is what I get my GSD and GSD mix. My GSD will eat them no problem my my mix doesn't so we have to hide them or trick her. We also give them this Salmon Oil that they both like.

My bully Odin has the same problem, with varying degrees of intensity. https://i.imgur.com/IeOs8pt.jpg

I've tried snout soother, it's good for a temporary fix, but I'd say it's equivalent to really expensive Bag balm or udder cream. We have a weekly routine where I'll clean the crust off with a warm wash cloth which he seems to love, and follow up with some snout soother, which he's not the biggest fan of. It seems healthier, but never really goes away fully.

I've talked to his vet about it as well, she said there's not much I can do, because he usually immediately licks anything off, when I put it on. She told me some bully's will just have the dry nose, and keep up our weekly routine.

Edit: just adding, that even though I said I feel like Snout Soother is an expensive lotion, I still continue to buy it. It seems to help, and that's ok with me. It usually lasts a long time.

Don't force her into the crate. That will only make the fear worse. If you need to leave, give lots and lots of high value treats, and a stuffed toy frozen with something high value.

Is she still scared of the crate if you move it to a different room? Sometimes this can sort of reset something for a dog.

I would make most of the good things in her life happen in the crate. Put her meals in the crate, put a Kong with yummy goodness in the crate. Leave the door open until she is willingly going in and not running right back out when given treats. Look into crate games, those are helpful too.

I would also recommend dtap collars, the adaptl ones are best. They also make a scent diffuser you can put next to the crate. these do take about 30 days to kick in. Other calming aids can also be helpful, I've had the best luck with rescue remedy. Some dogs also react very well to thunder vests. Once your dog is calmer in general you could potentially start working on desensitization to thunder/loud noises.

If you're American, expect tomorrow (and potentially tonight and the rest of the week depending on local fireworks laws) to be rough as well.

I buy it from Amazon. A bottle lasts almost a year. I only give it for breakfast not dinner. Half pump for pups full pump for adults

Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats - Supports Joint Function, Immune & Heart Health - Omega 3 Liquid Food Supplement for Pets - All Natural EPA + DHA Fatty Acids for Skin & Coat - 32 FL OZ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WZZQ46C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_g8.OAb3HV1PNG

We're trying these with Leo right now: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0787TDTYL/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

He does NOT like the taste. We have to wrap them in lots of cheese and put them in with his food so he will scarf them down. The first morning after we used them, we noticed he seemed a bit more calm... but overall I feel like it's made about a 2% difference. He's a German Shepherd, kind of like /u/AZSouthsideGirl with her Bella, Leo is also an intense breed so I think its hard to really curb that.

But it can't hurt to try, they're not too expensive to try at least once.

In addition to glucosamine (Myristol pellets, or these), I'm giving mine:

• 85ml pomegranate juice which is an anti-inflammatory (this might not be a good idea if your bun is on the plump side, I've tried giving mine crushed pomegranate seed, but he won't touch it).
  
  
• 100mg (roughly) Omega 3 which is found in linseed/flaxseed/hempseed. I'm just using vegetarian omega 3 capsules for this.
  
  He also gets a mixture with ginger, turmeric and sage, which are said to be good for joints, I doubt it, but it is cheap and he likes it.
  
  
  My vet also mentioned Devil's claw (Harpagophytum), but I never got anywhere with that as I wasn't able to calculate a sensible dosage.

I have a Comfy Cone that I've used for a couple of dogs. I think they are more comfortable for the dog when it is resting. The downside is they are not see-through and they are somewhat heavier than the typical plastic ones.

You can find them here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XY7C7C/ref=twister_B0037NX7JS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

We adopted her about a month ago. January 5th 2019 to be exact, it feels longer than that, I put two months in my original post but it was just a month ago. The Humane society didn't have record of when she was spayed they just assured me that she was. She was transferred from the city and didn't have a lot of information on her. The vet confirmed she was spayed and even showed me the incision. The vet recommended UTI prevention so I picked up some cranberry Antioxidant she has been taking them around the same time as the Omega 3 so about 3 weeks now.

​

I have been putting the omega 3 pills in hot dogs and pill pouches but I haven't been breaking the up. That might do the trick since she weeds out the pill with her tongue and spits it out, she eats either the hot dog or pill pouch. I am going to try breaking up the pill it will get around her method.

​

Thanks for taking time to respond it means a lot.

​

​

As /u/sneaky_dragon was referencing..... Twice a day is much better as "Plasma drug levels decreased rapidly to near-undetectable levels by 24 h." Giving it once a day creates a large swing in pain relief. Rabbits metabolize Meloxicam much faster than cats or dogs.

There are many concentrations of Meloxicam. The most common are for cats 0.5 mg/mL and dogs 1.5 mg/mL. Base on the info you gave 2 mL once a day for a 2.6 lbs rabbit is 2.54 mg/kg using the dog version. This is way to high so guessing your vet is giving the cat version. This works out to 0.85 mg/kg and is an 'ok' amount. Many vets are afraid to dose high... yours looks like they aren't.

There are side effects from any med... with Meloxicam the main concerns are kidney, liver, and in some rarer cases bone issues. It's a tradeoff... 'quality of life' type of thing. I have known a few owners that have used 1.0 mg/kg+ doses on rabbits for 4+ years with no issues. Many vets will do a blood test every 6-12 months (depends on vet) to make sure things are fine for long term use.

There are other options that might help. Oxbow makes a joint supplement that some have had luck with. Bunspace sells a pellet that has glucosamine in it along with a few other things that might help. Make sure to ask your vet before changing anything.

You should get one of these. But seriously, I think my dog saved me too, I only rescued her a week ago and I couldn't have asked for a better friend.

It’s not the best if your dog is a mutt (like I said, ours just said “herding breed” for like 35%) but we used Embark.


Embark | Dog DNA Test | Breed Identification Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HHF1VLH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gygZDbT4GCQ8A

So sorry this happened. Butter works wonders for getting pills down. I’ve also had good luck with this product: Tomlyn Products 079-427463 Pill-Masker Original for Cats & Dogs Bacon, 4 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FXX4DQK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_WiVSBbPZYEQFJ

She is adorable!

We have 3 Chi's, so we invested in a soft cone (similar to http://www.amazon.com/Comfy-Cone-E-Collar-Medium-Black/dp/B000XY7C7C/). Great purchase; SO much better than the hard plastic ones.

Zelda will thank you.

Our cat was recently diagnosed with cancer and now is on 3-4 pills a day. I'm very practiced at pilling cats, so I could get them down her just by shoving them in her mouth, but I had to do it so many times a day that she was starting to shy away from me whenever I approached her, which was extremely sad and stressful for us both. She doesn't have long to live, and I want those to be good months with lots of quality time.

Pill pockets and hiding pills in food and similar approaches have never worked for her, so a month ago, I scoured the internet for ANY other options. I ultimately found this stuff called a "pill masker." It's like cat-food-flavored play-doh. You wrap it around the pill, and it's so sticky and such a tight fit that the cat can't get the stuff off and also doesn't really chew the pill before going down?

It has been AMAZING. Our cat eats 100% of her pills with enthusiasm now and zero coercion, and it's been a month without the bloom going off the rose. She's an unusually smart cat, so usually tricks like this work only super briefly and then she figures them out.

Anyway, I've become a pill masker evangelist. Told everybody I know with cats, plus the vet and the pharmacist. Yet to meet anyone who has ever heard of it. You should try it!

This is the kind we are using, chosen because there were only two brands on Amazon and this one was a few bucks cheaper: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FXX4DQK/ref=sxts_kp_lp_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=8778bc68-27e7-403f-8460-de48b6e788fb&pd_rd_wg=SV0HU&pf_rd_r=Q510PWJ87T4B4E90XEKM&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B01FXX4DQK&pd_rd_w=2DNDs&pf_rd_i=pill+masker&pd_rd_r=35ed66a2-fe4d-42a5-ac41-aa24ec3cde3d&ie=UTF8&qid=1543367125&sr=2

​

Have you used a cone that attaches to the collar? We have one similar to this.

You could also try putting him in clothing like pajamas. I've heard of people using baby onesies or buying one online specifically for dogs.

That's good. I buy mine on Amazon. They may not help cure this one, but they will help prevent the next one.

My dog has allergies and will lick his feet raw and he scratched a hole in his head once.

We use benadryl, (1mg per lb of dog), twice a day.

You need to use actual Medicated shampoo and sprays. An oatmeal shampoo isn't going to do anything for allergies. You might need to figure out which one works for your dog.

You need to bathe the dog often to remove whatever allergens are on him. Might even need to wash his feet every time he walks through any grass or plants.

A Pramoxine (local anesthetic) Shampoo
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0078LOVD6/

Hydrocortisone (topical steroid) Spray https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JHPBDX2/

A Chlorhexidine (antiseptic) & ketoconazole (Antifungal) spray
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0180A1EXI/

Chlorhexidine and Ketoconazole Shampoo https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0180A1CWG/

I'm in a similar boat (except I've got more advance notice) and have been finding the Digital Dog Training Textbook linked-to in the sidebar to be invaluable. Highly recommend. It's a little oddly laid out and it repeats itself itself but—as it says—you're really training yourself how to train the pup, so the reinforcement works (at least for me).

Their shopping list (oddly-formatted, watch out) includes:

• At least six chewtoys to stuff with kibble and treats (The Kong Company’s Kong and Biscuit Ball, Premier’s Squirrel Dude and Football, and sterilized long bones^† are the best.)
  
• Water bowl (Only buy your pup a food bowl once he is socialized, well-trained, and has impeccable household manners.)
  
• Dog food (dry kibble) During his first weeks at home, make sure your puppy receives all food stuffed in chewtoys, or handfed as rewards for socialization and training.
  
• Freeze-dried liver for men, strangers, and children to win your puppy's confidence and as rewards for housetraining
  
  (All links non-affiliate, just tryna be helpful :)
  
  Also, I saw this recommended somewhere. I have used a similar product for our cats and it's fucking magic, so if you're concerned your pup might be stressed, I highly recommend.
  
  ^† above, /u/caffeinatedlackey recommends against these until older

What is she allergic to, if it’s a food allergy? You may be able to find her a food that’s not too rough on her that can still accommodate to her restrictions. Antibiotics and antihistamines definitely will mess with her system. I know there’s a once a month allergy shot available, I just don’t know if it would be something that could help her. My rescue had back to back UTIs when I first got her, hers due to the fact that she was terrified of going outside in the rain (we live in FL - you can’t get away from rain lol) so I give her this supplement one a day with dinner and she has not had a UTI in over a year. Good luck, she’s a beauty 😍

This blog has a lot of info on fungal acne https://simpleskincarescience.com/pityrosporum-folliculitis-treatment-malassezia-cure/. Seems like a lot of people use Nizoral on their face, but I was a little concerned that it would either dry my face out or break me out. I've recently started using an antifungal spray for pets (https://www.amazon.com/Pet-MD-Antiseptic-Chlorhexidine-Ketoconazole/dp/B0180A1EXI). There are fewer ingredients in this compared to Nizoral, and most of the ingredients I at least somewhat recognize. I do contact therapy - leave on my face for 5-10 minutes then rinse off. Only been using this for about 5 days, but so far so good. Good luck!

Dog rocks! You put them in their water and i can't remember exactly how it works but it takes out whatever is in their urine that kills grass.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NE2UH4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525749362&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+rocks&dpPl=1&dpID=41HKHSj4uNL&ref=plSrch

I just got my first ferret not too long ago.

We use this solution for the dog, cat, and ferret and it works great.

As for litter, I’m very happy with the crushed walnut cat litter I’ve been using. I think it’s by Naturally Fresh. It really keeps odors down and clumps nicely. My only problem with it is that my ferret likes to dig in it.

Kind of hard to argue the Golden w/ that coat. If you're really curious, you can try one of these DNA tests. They have some mixed reviews but I always thought it would be fun to try.

My pugs have this occasionally as well. It's kind of like chapped lips. I use snout soother daily, and it keeps their noses moist and prevents the crust from forming.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IEDA5S2?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I just bought Calm Pup and am starting it tonight. It’s an everyday treat, and you can double up if necessary. I’ll let everyone know how it goes. I’m trying these things before I get into medication. I looked at July 3rd, but it was very expensive at the pet shop, may be less online though.

No no absolutely not. It’s an actual anxiety medicine for dogs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0728KBTMH/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1538917538&sr=8-3&keywords=dog+anxiety+medicine&dpPl=1&dpID=51yqeF-OK9L&ref=plSrch

Instead of a walk in the morning, could you run with him? Or ride a bike? That would help tire him out more. I got the Tuff Mutt hands-free leash and I LOVE it. It has made running SO much easier. I also got the Ruffwear front range harness because my dog pulls like a madman and I wanted something with enough padding in the chest. My two complaints about the hands-free leash are that 1) the material is kind of slick, so the loop that clips around your waist will loosen frequently and need to be readjusted, and 2) if your dog lunges after something or changes directions suddenly, it'll feel like someone punched you in the gut.

Like you, I also leave my dog with a variety of treats like a kong, a stuffed marrow bone, and a holee roller ball with long/wide treats in it. I also started giving him these calming treats. He really does not like the taste and spits them out unless I cover them in peanut butter. I have no idea if the treats have much of an impact (the reviews are very mixed) or if the running does more to tire him out, but I will definitely say that the running + calming treats + puzzle toy combo has been perfect for my dog. He's basically knocked out the entire 9.5 hours I'm gone.

Hey OP, think about some nose butter for that dry sniffer.

He'll kill anything he pees on...As he's basically overfertilizing it to death. I feed my three big dogs these because I have a ridiculously tiny backyard, and it helps cut down on the amount of grass killing they do.

We used this shampoo on him even though he was old because it was so gentle and didn't make problems for his sensitive skin.

Also, this snout soother or something like it will help keep your dog's nose from getting crusty and dry. Apple cider vinegar is super helpful with ear cleaning because you can put some on a cotton pad and wipe out the inside of your dog's ears to help keep problems with ear infections at a minimum too.

Bulldog maintenance is very time consuming, but worth it. I loved my drooling beast and it was just part of our routine.

I got this one ?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000XY7C7C

I use this
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00RZDXA7K/

Have you checked pet stores?

1. A Chuck-It Ultra ball: The best fetch ball, as far as my older dog is concerned
   
   
2. A Chuck-it Ultra tug toy: The best tug toy, as far as my older dog is concerned
   
   
3. A large Nylabone designed for powerful chewers (not picky about the exact style): I pretty much always have at least one of these laying around for the dogs. Gives them a chance to really chew on something, and there's minimal smell and mess for me to deal with.
   
   
4. A classic Kong: No explanation needed.
   
   
5. A fleece tug toy with real animal fur: These kinds of toys really get my younger dog riled up. She loves tugging on soft and/or fuzzy toys.
   
   
6. A mesh tug toy that you can put treats in: Also for my younger dog, for those times when her tug drive is low, but her food drive is high.
   
   
7. A Starmark Treat Wheeler (We don't need the treats, just the toy is good.) I don't know what it is about this toy, but my dogs love it. This is one of the few toys that's always available to them, and it's the toy they bring to me when they want to play.

Hmmm, since she's only 14 months it's tough to say how big of an issue this really is going to be. There are some dogs who are born anxious and are anxious for their whole lives no matter what, and in those cases I think medication is the best thing. That being said, that's not where I would start, and certainly given she's still a puppy I'm sure she will relax in many ways just with time.

You're already on the right track wanting to help her, and if you put the time and energy in I'm sure you can really make a difference for her and her life.

One thing I'm reading here a lot in everything you're listing is her high energy. I think you need to first try just exhausting her and seeing how that helps. A very high energy dog who doesn't get to go out and just run at least once a day can exhibit psychological stresses such as anxiety. If you have a place near you that does some sort of "puppy play time" you can take her there to start as it will be a supervised and controlled environment. Assuming she does well in that kind of an environment, I would start regularly taking her to a dog park when the weather warms up just a little (note: dogs can be in pretty cold temp and not have many issues, though obviously freezing temperatures can be dangerous). This will help expel her energy and learn proper socialization both around dogs and humans.

Additionally, keep training her on a daily basis as the mental exhaustion will also be really beneficial for her.

Your roommate is actually almost doing exactly the right thing. If she could drop the mocking and just ignore her, that's what you want. In fact, I would make a habit of ignoring her bad behaviors yourself, and helping others to. A dog will interpret any kind of attention as a positive reward, and so if she's barking incessantly and you try to calm her down or even say "no" or anything, that's what she's looking for and she'll learn "barking means I get what I want".

The walking thing she will DEFINITELY get used to, that's just a time thing. My first dog was raised from 2 months in the city so traffic and noises everywhere was second nature to her. The first time I walked her in a quiet, rural setting, she FREAKED OUT. Every little noise frightened her because the silence was so strange to her. She needed to adjust to the new environment, that's all.

If you want to start diving into the product world, while it didn't work for my dog a lot of people have had a ton of success with a ThunderShirt. You'll see how mixed the reviews are, so it's the kind of thing that simply works or it doesn't.

There are pills which are meant to help calm dogs and work often but not always. They can cause upset stomaches, some dogs won't eat them, but no major side effects as long as you use the proper dosage.

Other people try pheromone collars which are again hit or miss. I personally don't love this as a solution because "miss" can be very bad (stories of dogs vomiting or having seizures, etc.), but again plenty of people have success stories.

When your dog is around 3 she will start to chill out no matter what as dogs go through an emotional development stage then. That doesn't mean her anxiety will be gone. My first dog had insane anxiety as a puppy and we couldn't even leave her alone or she'd hurt herself. As an adult dog, she's very relaxed in the house and can stay home by herself for many hours if needed, but she still expresses signs of extreme anxiety when we have people over and sometimes when we're leaving. I've spent thousands trying to train her out of it with professionals and they all came to "some dogs just can't be trained out of this". I hope this isn't your dog because it's as hard as it is for them as it is for you, but if it is, prozac can really work and helps save a lot of dogs from those stresses.

Like I said, start with the exercise and at MOST maybe a ThunderShirt and see how things go. Sometimes all it takes is some time & love :)

I have a super fussy Smooth Collie when it comes to administering pills that he has to swallow. I tried Pill Pockets and they worked for a time until he realized he could chew the pill pocket and still spit out the pill. So I found this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FXX4DQK/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I wasn't confident that pill "putty" would work, but I've been using it for a bit over a month now and he takes all of his pills because he cannot unbind the pill from the putty.

I introduced him to this method by giving him some rolled up pill putty balls with a tiny bit of a regular treat inside them and then sometimes with nothing inside them. Once he was good with that, I started putting his pills inside the rolled up putty balls. I still give him an empty putty ball every other treat so that he has to "gamble" and take the putty anyway.

http://www.amazon.com/Nutri-Vet-Green-Chewable-Tablets-Liver-Flavored/dp/B0002PBZY8

That's what some of these look like. Any chance she's feeding him over-the-counter anti-spotting stuff? They are relatively harmless, but I'd still be livid.

I'm interested in what you've heard about Greenies (I don't use them with my dogs, but my family used them with our dogs growing up without issues). The only things I've read had to do with obstruction (dogs wolfing down and not chewing properly), and I'm pretty sure Greenies changed their formula after that debacle to make them more digestible so that they would be safer.

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That being said, my dogs are a fan of nylabones that have the nubs on them (as they chew, the nubs help brush their teeth). Just make sure if your dog gets to the point where they are tearing it apart, that you throw it out. You don't want your dog actually eating it. Another recent addition for us has been Starmark's Everlasting Dental Treats (like these). You can give them to your dog as a treat, but we give them to our dogs in a Bento Ball because it takes them foreverrrr to eat them from that. I think they also fit Wheelers. Not sure of other products.

Im not op but I use regenepure. I like it a lot, but it's kinda expensive.

I also buy this (see caveat below):

Pet MD - Antiseptic and... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0180A1EXI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

It's the only Ketoconazole product I could find that was not a shampoo (I don't understand why). I like this for a leave in, but I don't know the effect of that antiseptic. It's safe, but it's not made for long term used I'd imagine so use at your own risk

Hi this is Sharon Skonetski , a professional pet nutrionist, A variety of single or multivitamin products are available for cats. Most cat foods contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals that a cat needs. Adding on your cat's diet, from Sun Beams Brands can turn around the dimishing health of a sick or aging cat by:

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  https://www.amazon.com/Coconut-Oil-Pets-Certified-Cold-pressed/dp/B00M7PENFE/ref=sr_1_14_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1474614376&sr=8-14&keywords=coconut+oil+for+pets

I'm thinking more of a Blem


Also, I've had better than expected results with this: https://www.amazon.com/Blissful-Dog-Bulldog-Butter-1-Ounce/dp/B00T85E6Y4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1524754048&sr=8-3&keywords=bulldog+nose

(not a sales pitch)

many people also use coconut oil for a number of medicinal purposes. Coconut oil is extremely popular these days. You may use it yourself as a health supplement as well.. But this time, many dog owners, you probably know about the benefits of coconut oil for pets.. To know more about the products go to! https://www.amazon.com/Coconut-Oil-Pets-Certified-Cold-pressed/dp/B00M7PENFE/ref=sr_1_14_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1474614376&sr=8-14&keywords=coconut+oil+for+pets

many people also use coconut oil for a number of medicinal purposes. we all know that coconut oil is also substitute other fats to human. In addition,by giving coconut oil for your pets orally, coconut oil can be applied directly to your dogs coat and skin. See more about the products! https://www.amazon.com/Coconut-Oil-Pets-Certified-Cold-pressed/dp/B00M7PENFE/ref=sr_1_14_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1474614376&sr=8-14&keywords=coconut+oil+for+pets

A couple of people have recommended a pheromone collar or spray for my dog's anxiety. I haven't tried it yet, but I've considered it.

My dog used to have extreme storm/noise anxiety. We've worked through a lot of it, but there's still a good amount of anxiety there.

When he's home alone or I'm not home, if someone lets him out he jumps the fence. I've decided to crate him while I'm gone, so I think I'm going to try the pheromone spray and see if it helps at all.

Probably depends on the size of the yard and the number of dogs. Our grass is killed more by rain flooding and the dogs running through it than them urinating. Guaranteed to be pretty much a dirt yard by May/June. :(

There are supposedly products that can make your dogs urine less harmful to the grass (these might work, never used them nor know much about them). You could also teach your dogs to urinate in a specific zone to at least save the rest of the yard.

As to digging, perhaps try putting mulch or rocks in places they dig. It seems to be less appealing than dirt or grass, but YMMV. Digging can be really hard to teach them not to do, as it is hard to catch them in the act especially if they don't do it when you're there. If it is specifically gardens, buy garden fencing or equivalent and teach them to not cross the barricade.

The toy is called a “Wheeler” toy and treat inside is an Everlasting Dental Treat from Starmark! The toys are normally $30 but they’re $9.90 on Amazon right now and come with a treat inside!

Had to do a little Google. It was this but it doesn't seem to be made anymore. PetCo had it for $19 and that's about the max I'd pay for something like this.

Only reason I did it was I only saw Lab while others saw hound. In hind sight I should have spent the money on more tennis balls : )

Jack Russel, maybe some lab mix. Does she have a double coat?

Here you go dear: http://www.amazon.com/BioPet-DNA-Breed-Identification-Kit/dp/B0015WNJ7I Send them a cheek swab and you'll know! I don't recommend trying to buy this in a pet specialty store like Petsmart, they will try to charge you 150.00 for this kit. This is the best price I've found!

i also adopted 7 mo that lived with pig before. oh, he acted like a pig for a long time!! used to pee on the table and on the bed right at front of us.
to me it meant something is wrong, so with patience and time he became a great dog! didnt have an accident for a few mnths, learned how to ask to go out. i also have another dog for a 6 years, and when i got puppy a year ago, there was a lot of jealousy from an adult dog too. with respect to their feelings and time they are best friends and cant live without each other.
good luck and be patient! and whatever dogs do - they are reacting on our actions.
this also helps a lot. http://www.amazon.com/D-A-P-ComfortZone-Behavior-Modifier-Diffuser/dp/B000O5HUEA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331492698&sr=8-1

I couldn't find it (we only used it 3 times, I think, so it's probably buried in one of our closets), but it was something like this one: link. You can probably check with your vet if there's a brand that they recommend.

Creepiness? What? "Hi. We're thinking of getting a dog and just trying to get advice..." What's creepy about that?

A class might be better as a trainer would be able to explain the level of work required and potential problems/solutions. Also give advice on which breeds are less likely to have what your husband would consider "problems".

Got the name wrong, it's "Dog Rocks". They stop pee from burning grass. Last about 2 months before needing replaced. These work (dog peed in a friends garden, burnt; started using rocks, it peed in their garden again, no burn. Used their garden as a test because we could guarantee a before/after).

My costs are based on UK figures, you'd have to check out what applies to you locally. Better to over estimate and budget for that, than under estimate and hit bother.

https://www.amazon.com/Blissful-Dog-Bulldog-Butter-1-Ounce/dp/B00T85E6Y4

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UPDATE:

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This stuff worked amazingly for our Bulldog. Thank you to all who responded!!!

I've had a lot of success with these calming treats. It may be worthwhile to look into a supplement like these -- there's little risk and potentially high rewards.

Also, licking and sniffing are calming behaviors. Lick mats loaded with frozen peanut butter, yogurt, or dog food worked great for my dogs. You can also try snuffle mats with simple treats or kibble. I know it's easy to overfeed dogs, but I'd prioritize her mental health over any minor weight gain over a two-month period. You can always put her back on her regular diet when she settles into her new home.

Exercising might also help relieve the stress! Take her for a nice walk a few times a day, if she's able to relax outside.

Good luck!

cute car magnet

There’s a chance he could be a mix of multiple breeds, as in his parents were also mixes. I agree with the other commenter that he could be a bully/lab mix.

If it’s within budget for you, try getting a DNA test for him! Like this one https://www.amazon.com/Embark-Genetic-Ancestry-Discovery-at-Home/dp/B07HHF1VLH but there’s a lot more.

You can order a DNA Test from amazon if you are serious curious. They aren't %100 accurate, and your vet can do a blood test (instead of saliva) that is far more accurate, over %99 if I remember correctly. It's an expensive way to settle an argument, but it's good to know exactly what your breed is to know what medical conditions they may be predisposed to.

Based on this photo, I think you have an AmStaff / APBT mix. Here's a link to a post I made a few months back that show the differences between American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and American Bullies. If you look closely at the 1st photo (APBT) and the 2nd (AmStaff) you'll see the difference in muscle mass. AmStaffs are very beefy dogs because they have a type of muscle that is layered differently than APBTs. In that post I go into a bit of detail about the differences in weight, size, and energy levels of each breed, but it's only in regard to purebreds. Mixes are just that, so they vary a lot in those considerations.

It's also possible that he's %100 AmStaff with "subpar" genes. Don't take that as a slight, because the genes that breeders isolate to make the "perfect" AmStaff, happen to be the ones that make them susceptible to Hip dysplasia, deafness, skin allergies, and other serious medical issues. For instance, I know my boy is %100 AmStaff because he comes from 2 papered dogs that have a genetic line that can be traced. He also has Pancreatitis and serious skin allergies that require him to eat 4 small meals of expensive prescription food a day. I make sure I keep him light as well, to minimize the chance of hip dysplasia or of him tearing an ACL, which are both common in heavy bullies, even more so in purebreds.

From a purely technical stance you don't have a pit bull, but in the end genetics and purebred status only matter if you're showing or studding him, which I DO NOT endorse since there are so many good boys and girls awaiting loving homes in shelters. He's either an AmStaff or mixed, and I would tell people that when they ask. It's my experience that many people become nervous when they hear pit bull, but think American Staffordshire Terrier sounds fancy even though the two breeds are VERY similar both genetically and temperamentally. AmStaffs come from Pit Bulls after all.